Virtual-water content of agricultural production and food trade balance of Tunisia

Chahed, Jamel; Besbes, Mustapha; Hamdane, Abdelkader

doi:10.1080/07900627.2015.1040543

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The share of agriculture in GDP has decreased continuously from 16.3% in 1980 to 8.2% in 2010 (World Bank 2017). Currently, the country is using more than the available water for annual extraction (in the water table), relying significantly on extracted non-renewable water resources and on imported virtual water flows to ensure food security (Chahed et al 2015).…”

Section: Water Resources In Tunisiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Those authors consider that many problems such as loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and water scarcity, are directly or indirectly related to population consumption habits. Many researchers have emphasized the importance of consumer's habits and diets on WFP at the global or local level, and the role WFP could play to overcome the shortcomings of water governance in some countries (Ridoutt and Pfister 2010b;Feng et al 2011b;Hoekstra and Mekonnen 2012;Chenoweth et al 2014;Chahed et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies related to the WFP in Tunisia are limited to the quantification of virtual water flows or to the overall production/ consumption WFP of the country. Chahed et al (2015) studied the link between agricultural policies and water strategy in Tunisia. They concluded that the "water equivalent" of food demand had increased, mainly because of population growth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of food consumption on water footprint and food security in Tunisia

et al. 2019

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Over the next few years, Tunisia will face a growing scarcity of water. The concept of a food consumption water footprint has been recently applied to expand knowledge about water management and to respond to problems of food insecurity. In this study, following the Water Footprint Network (WFN) method, we assessed and analysed the food consumption water footprint of Tunisian households by geographical location and by group of food products. We used results from national food surveys to collect the quantities of food consumed and the WFN database containing water footprints of food products specific to Tunisia. We found that the average water footprint for the main consumed food groups has increased by 31% during recent decades, from 1208 m 3 /capita/year in 1985 to 1586 m 3 /capita/year in 2010. Despite the decline in cereal consumption in Tunisia, the food water footprint has continued to rise as a result of increased consumption of animal source products. This increase is associated with regional variations in food choices that imply large differences in water footprints. Urban diets present higher water footprints than rural diets proportionally to higher standards of living. This study provides a new perspective on the water footprint of food consumption in Tunisia by using dietary data at the household level and demonstrated significant variability in water footprints due to different food consumption modes, and socio-economic and geographic characteristics. Future food consumption trends will likely create more pressure on water resources, especially in Tunis city and coastal areas of Tunisia. Special measures related to price policies, sensitization of consumers, and changes in production systems may have to be taken by policy makers to reduce the water footprint in order to improve food security strategies and water management in Tunisia.

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Section: Water Resources In Tunisiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of food consumption on water footprint and food security in Tunisia

et al. 2019

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“…According to Lacirignola et al [11], diets have an impact on agriculture, the environment, and the interacting economy. Many studies have mentioned the impact of diets and consumer habits on the evolution of the water footprint at the international or national/regional levels and the role this concept could play in overcoming problems of water management in several countries [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The water footprint of food consumption represents more than 86% of the total water footprint [19].…”

Section: Water Footprint Of Food Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of Food Consumption Water Footprint in the MENA Region: The Case of Tunisia

Souissi

Mtimet²,

McCann

et al. 2022

Sustainability

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Tunisia, like most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has limited renewable water resources and is classified as a water stress country. The effects of climate change are exacerbating the situation. The agricultural sector is the main consumer (80%) of blue water reserves. In this study, to better understand the factors that influence the food water footprint of Tunisian consumers, we used a multiple linear regression model (MLR) to analyze data from 4853 households. The innovation in this paper consists of integrating effects of socio-economic, demographic, and geographic trends on the food consumption water footprint into the assessment of water and food security. The model results showed that regional variations in food choices meant large differences in water footprints, as hypothesized. Residents of big cities are more likely to have a large water footprint. Significant variability in water footprints, due to different food consumption patterns and socio-demographic characteristics, was also noted. Food waste is also one of the determining factors of households with a high water footprint. This study provides a new perspective on the water footprint of food consumption using “household” level data. These dietary water footprint estimates can be used to assess potential water demand scenarios as food consumption patterns change. Analysis at the geographic and socio-demographic levels helps to inform policy makers by identifying realistic dietary changes.

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“…WFs have gained attraction in policy circles in several countries such as India, the Netherlands, North Africa and Spain (Antonelli & Tamea, 2015;Chahed, Besbes, & Hamdane, 2015;Wichelns, 2013). This indicator was introduced as a concept by Hoekstra and Hung (2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water footprints and irrigated agricultural sustainability: the case of Chile

Donoso

Blanco

Franco

et al. 2015

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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This paper estimates the agricultural production water footprint (WF) of Chile, assessing green, blue and grey WFs of the main agricultural products for the main productive regions, taking into account climatic and soil differences. Chile's agricultural production blue WF is geographically concentrated in the lower portion of the Northern Dry Pacific and Central Chile area, which present less water availability. Thus, irrigated agricultural production in Chile, a semiarid country, is characterized by high water stress. In this scenario, public policies are required to incentivize better water management in order to reduce water vulnerability while boosting development.

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Virtual-water content of agricultural production and food trade balance of Tunisia

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Impact of food consumption on water footprint and food security in Tunisia

Impact of food consumption on water footprint and food security in Tunisia

Determinants of Food Consumption Water Footprint in the MENA Region: The Case of Tunisia

Water footprints and irrigated agricultural sustainability: the case of Chile

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